Cushla greenway the first step to a connect town

Athlone Advertiser, Thu, Nov 21, 2019

The completion of a new greenway linking Cushla in Monksland with the Roscommon Road at Ganly’s roundabout, has been welcomed.

“Not only will this be an important recreational amenity for people and families in the Monksland area but in conjunction with Roscommon and Westmeath County Councils we are exploring how this new greenway could link back into Athlone Town and out to River Village and Bealnamullia.

“I believe this project should be part of a longer-term plan to link all our primary and secondary schools and Athlone IT to a looped greenway for the town of Athlone creating a connected town for young people to take their own steps to reduce their carbon footprint,” Deputy Denis Naughten affirmed.

The local Deputy noted the positive impact upon the environment which regular utilisation of the new greenway will have.

“For every school child or student who walks or cycles just one kilometre to school instead of going by car, this would reduce their carbon footprint by 122kg of CO2 per year as well as dramatically improving air quality for the one in every five Irish children with asthma.

“There have been plans in the past to look at developing a greenway to Kiltoom and to Summerhill from Athlone and I believe these plans need to be resurrected as part of an overall strategy for Ireland’s newest city.

“Working with Roscommon and Westmeath County Councils we have an opportunity to make Athlone a national leader in sustainable transport and this small section of greenway at Cushla could be the start of something much bigger,” Deputy Naughten concluded.